Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"A man in whom is the Spirit..."
Text: Numbers 27:18
THE FIRST LEADER
Israel needed a leader of the calibre of Moses! The Spirit of God had to both anoint and empower Moses for the task of leading the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. That journey was long and arduous. Because of the rebellious and stubborn stance taken by the children of Israel that journey took 40 years! Moses began his ministry at 80 years of age. He was 120 years when he completed his work for the Lord.
THE NEXT LEADER
The next leader would have to be just as Spirit-filled. Joshua was the assistant of Moses (Numbers 11:28). He was young in comparison to Moses. Add forty years of serving alongside Moses and Joshua would perhaps be a septuagenarian (in his seventies) when he became the next leader.
“And the LORD said to Moses: ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun with you,
a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation,
and inaugurate him in their sight.
And you shall give some of your authority to him,
that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest,
who shall inquire before the LORD for him by the judgment of the Urim.
At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in,
he and all the children of Israel with him- all the congregation.'”
Numbers 27:18-21
1. “Joshua the son of Nun”
a) He was clearly identified as the next leader.
b) The Spirit of God was obvious in him.
2. Inauguration of Joshua
a) The inauguration would involve the laying on of hands.
b) This was to be a public inauguration.
c) The high priest Eleazar and the congregation of Israel would bear witness.
3. The authority of Joshua to lead
a) Some of the authority of Moses would be given to him.
b) That authority must be respected by the congregation.
i) At his word the congregation will go out.
ii) At his word again the children of Israel would come in.
4. “Eleazar the high priest”
He would be there to give spiritual support. He would seek the Lord’s will concerning all ventures by the Urim (and Thummim). The two leaders would lead the children of Israel after the demise of Moses.